Advice on Dosing

[Cat Mom97]

Hello everyone!
I’ve made a post explaining everything here.

The TL;DR of it:
My boy was diagnosed a while back and was initially prescribed Novolin. Thankfully, a diet change was all that was needed at that time.

His glucose was under control since then, but after a vet visit this year, his glucose started getting higher. I believe this was due to the medication they’d put him on.

He was finally prescribed ProZinc at 2 units, once a day. I haven’t started him on the insulin because I’d like some guidance on how many units to start at and I wanted a free day to be able to monitor and do a curve.

Edit: It’s the morning after my post and I gave him less than half of 1u. I don’t have the syringes with the half marks. Can anyone advise? Vet was the one who suggested 2 units a day, based off of his weight.

 

[Cali22]

I'm also using Prozinc on my cat. The vet gave me U-40 type syringes which have half unit marks. Also, Prozinc is usually administered twice daily. You might want to confirm with your vet that you have the correct syringes and that they want it shot only once a day.

 

[Cat Mom97]

I'm also using Prozinc on my cat. The vet gave me U-40 type syringes which have half unit marks. Also, Prozinc is usually administered twice daily. You might want to confirm with your vet that you have the correct syringes and that they want it shot only once a day.

Yeah, I made sure to get clarification before I left that day. The syringes I have are full unit marks only. This morning I eyeballed and tried to give him a little less than the 1u. I just don't know how to proceed.

 

[Cali22]

What color is the cap on the syringe? Red or Orange?

 

[Cat Mom97]

What color is the cap on the syringe? Red or Orange?

Red cap

 

[Cali22]

That should be a U-40 syringe. Does it look like this?

 

[Cali22]

Here's another example of a U40 syringe. Notice the alternating markings which are 1/2 unit.

 

[Cat Mom97]

That should be a U-40 syringe. Does it look like this?
View attachment 80018

This is what the vet gave me

 

[Cali22]

That looks like a U-40. But, it only has 1 unit markings as you thought. So yes, it's difficult to measure out 1/2 units. You can purchase syringes with 1/2 unit markings on Amazon. Maybe the local pharmacy has them.

Hopefully, someone with more experience here can help understand why the the vet prescribed only one shot per day. This seems unusual to me. Maybe call the vet to confirm.

 

[Cat Mom97]

I'll reach out some time this week, but I did ask for clarification and he was pretty sure about the instructions.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Hello everyone!
I’ve made a post explaining everything here.

The TL;DR of it:
My boy was diagnosed a while back and was initially prescribed Novolin. Thankfully, a diet change was all that was needed at that time.

His glucose was under control since then, but after a vet visit this year, his glucose started getting higher. I believe this was due to the medication they’d put him on.

He was finally prescribed ProZinc at 2 units, once a day. I haven’t started him on the insulin because I’d like some guidance on how many units to start at and I wanted a free day to be able to monitor and do a curve.

Edit: It’s the morning after my post and I gave him less than half of 1u. I don’t have the syringes with the half marks. Can anyone advise? Vet was the one who suggested 2 units a day, based off of his weight.

Yes. I replied on your previous thread to begin insulin at .5 units. You need those half unit markings on your syringes.

ProZinc is absolutely to be given every 12 hours. It won’t last that long and you will leave your kitty without insulin for many hours if you shoot only once per day.

 

[Cat Mom97]

Yes. I replied on your previous thread to begin insulin at .5 units. You need those half unit markings on your syringes.

ProZinc is absolutely to be given every 12 hours. It won’t last that long and you will leave your kitty without insulin for many hours if you shoot only once per day.

I’ll be sure to call the vet tomorrow to ask. Thus far, I’ve been shooting with a little less than half of 1u in the mornings since I don’t have the right syringes and I don’t want to give too much.

Do you know why a vet would advise to give ProZinc once a day?

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

you know why a vet would advise to give ProZinc once a day?

I can’t imagine! That is not standard dosing for insulin — it just doesn’t last that long. Maybe your vet isn’t that familiar with feline diabetes and how quickly cats metabolize insulin.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

The manufacturer of ProZinc (Boehringer Ingelheim) even states on their website that ProZinc is to be given every 12 hours.

 

[Cat Mom97]

The manufacturer of ProZinc (Boehringer Ingelheim) even states on their website that ProZinc is to be given every 12 hours.

I can’t imagine! That is not standard dosing for insulin — it just doesn’t last that long. Maybe your vet isn’t that familiar with feline diabetes and how quickly cats metabolize insulin.

Thanks for letting me know! I’ll be sure to mention that when I call.

 

[Cat Mom97]

Okay, update. The vet told me that he’s done the math and that I should be testing along with giving the insulin and from there we’d see if any changes need to be made. This includes seeing if he needs ProZinc 2x a day versus 1x.